We fell in love with a little dude

Today we redeemed Russ' birthday present gift certificate from me from last August: "Falconer for the Day" at Raptors Ridge. As previously mentioned, I'm scared of birds, but what the hell: there's nothing like a bird of prey with a razor-sharp beak and eight massive talons to overcome a little fear.

Raptors Ridge has a number of birds of prey: owls, falcons, and hawks. Though their birds are trained to hunt, Karen and her husband Kim are primarily interested in caring for abandoned birds and educating people about birds of prey. Karen led us today. She was so informative and interesting. First we got a tour of their mews and saw all the lovely birds through the wires, except for some new falcons that are too high-strung to be visited. Then we learned to make a set of aylmeri and jesses out of leather, how to tie a falconer's knot one-handed, and how to hold the bird's leash.

I mastered the falconer's knot!

Then she brought out the birds, starting with two male Harris Hawks...

( Many pictures under the cut. )

We had a wonderful, unforgettable day.

2010, my "year of flight", has really begun now!

*By a piece of chicken, I really mean a piece of baby chick, complete with feet and feathers.